What you Should Know about the Red, White and Boom! TC Half Marathon, Relay & 5K

The 2016 Red, White and Boom! Half Marathon, relay, and 5K is shaping up to be another amazing race. With summer knocking down the door with some wonderfully sunny days, we know that everyone is looking forward to family picnics, fireworks, and the Fourth of July.

Now in it’s 7th year, the staff at Twin Cities in Motion love how this event fits into the larger narrative of the Fourth of July Holiday. Virginia Brophy Achman, Executive Director of Twin Cities in Motion, told us:

The Fourth of July is such a meaningful, fun holiday, and we love that the race gives runners and walkers an active way to celebrate – it’s the perfect compliment to the holiday’s picnics and fireworks.

Since the Fourth is on a Monday this year, there is no better way to cap off a long weekend than by setting a new PR while running through scenic NE Minneapolis.

If you haven’t worked your way up to 13.1 yet, no problem! There is also a relay for you and your running buddy to split the race in half! If that’s still a little too far, take advantage of the NEW 5k along the Mississippi River!

The Red, White, and Boom! Course

In 2015, TCM altered the course a bit, and now there are hills and bridges throughout the first five miles. Your true test of strength comes about 3.5 miles in (as you turn onto Theodore Wirth Parkway), and lasts about a mile. There is a point, about halfway up that hill, where it levels slightly and even descends before the climb resumes. When it’s over, you will climb about 110 feet over the course of 1.5 miles.

After the hill, it’s a very gradual descent for the next 4.5 miles down the long tree lined straightaways of Theodore Wirth and Victory Memorial Parkway. From there, it’s a relatively flat stretch home, giving runners the chance to finish strong.

Patience is needed in the beginning to make sure you don’t trash your legs before mile five and mental strength is needed at the end to take advantage of the flat(ish), fast finish.

This year, Twin Cities in Motion brought the finish back to the Stone Arch Bridge. If you find yourself lagging in the final miles, the roaring crowds will cheer you across the bridge and will revitalize your legs to help you finish strong.

An Event for Everyone

With a beautiful, challenging course and great post race fun for friends and family, the Red, White and BOOM! race day is one of the many great events put on by Twin Cities in Motion.

Spectators and runners can enjoy some holiday fun as well, with a BBQ near the finish at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park. Enjoy the beautiful morning with lawn games, a dunk tank, live music, and face painting!

We thought we’d reach out to a few of our friends to get some quotes from real runners about the event, the course, and the experience as a whole.

“The pace team is spot on! It is a great way to begin the 4th. The course is really fun and the treats after are the best.” – Benjamin Ruhtra

“I loved the all-NE course, especially the fact that the last half was downhill! …The post-race snacks were phenomenal, it [is] great to be done so early, and especially fun to see so many of my neighbors out either spectating or walking their dogs/children.” – Adelheid Fischer Koski

“I love the atmosphere, dressing up, and kicking off Independence Day doing something I’m grateful I have the opportunity to do. I’m also a sucker for the course – I love NE!” – Freya Koester

“Fun, unique course for the Twin Cities. The race takes you through beautiful northeast Minneapolis, but be prepared for a couple brutal hills! It starts very early to try to beat the heat, but there’s not much you can do about the weather in July. Like nearly all TCM races, this event is very well organized. The TCM staff and volunteers know what they’re doing, and are friendly and honest while doing it. In my opinion, there is no better way to start the 4th of July weekend. And you also get a red-white-and-blue icy pop when you finish – enjoy it in the heat, you’ve earned it!” – Phillip Kitzer

But Wait, There’s More: The VIP Experience

Did someone say private porta-potties?! Simply click the “VIP Experience” option when you register for special race-day perks! The VIP Experience is only $20, and includes an exclusive additional gift (to be announced soon), one free beer, private porta-potties, sweats check and tent, as well as special post-race treats. Space is limited so register soon!

Volunteer, Entertain, or just Spectate

Volunteers

Can’t run, but still want to get in on the holiday fun? Sign up to volunteer! I cannot tell you how important volunteers are to make great events like RWB happen. All runners should volunteer at least once to see things from the other side, experience the gratitude, and be a source of strength.

Entertainment

Are you part of a band, dance/cheer team, choir, a DJ, or have another great idea for some on course entertainment? Reserve a spot on the course to entertain by contacting Participant Services & Events Manager, Greg Haapala

Spectators

Know someone who is running? Get out there and cheer them on! Breanne Hegg at Twin Cities in Motion suggests heading over to the hills on Theodore Wirth Parkway and Golden Valley Road to cheer runners to the top or over to Victory Memorial Parkway as they leave the hill behind. Another great cheering spot is at the halfway mark near the relay hand-off where you can give runners a strong push for the second leg of the race.

Parking Pro-Tips

Take the stress out of your morning and get to the race EARLY! I cannot emphasize this enough! There are various surface lots, parking ramps, metered-parking and non-metered parking available near the Start/Finish area.

To help make parking easier, the city of Minneapolis has an app (MPLS Parking) on iPhone and Android that allows you to input your space/meter number and pay for parking remotely. It will even alert you when your time is up so that you can extend it as needed. I have used this app for the past two years and skipped the line at the pay terminal, it is wonderful!

For details on where to park, check out the event’s spectator page here.

Register Now for the Red, White and Boom!

Pumped up and ready to run? Here’s what you need to know for registration:

To help keep you motivated and training beyond the Red, White, and BOOM! race weekend, our friends at Mill City Running are offering a free video gait analysis and a free pair of Fitsok’s with shoe purchase if you mention Minneapolis Running on July first through the third!

Justin started running in college as a way to take a break from his studies. What started as a study break, grew in to a hobby, then into a full blown passion. He is a volunteer coach with the Prior Lake High School cross country team and runs with the Mill City Running team. When he is not running, you will probably find his nose buried in a training book or out enjoying a beer at one of the many great breweries in the Twin Cities.

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